Study of COVID-19 Impact on Episcopal Church Giving

This research article examines the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on giving within the U.S. Episcopal Church. The study aims to understand how church attendance and donation patterns have changed since the onset of the pandemic. It tests three hypotheses regarding the impact of attendance on collections, the resilience of larger versus smaller churches, and the adoption of digital donation methods. Key findings indicate a 10% drop in collections during the first six months of the pandemic, followed by a near recovery in nominal terms, though real terms reflect a decrease in purchasing power. Notably, smaller churches saw an increase in giving, contrary to expectations, while digital giving methods experienced significant adoption, with a 156% increase in congregants utilizing these options. The research methodology involved analyzing five years of giving data from 890 Episcopal churches across the U.S., providing insights into regional and size-based differences in giving patterns. The findings highlight both challenges and opportunities for church financial sustainability post-pandemic.